Dean's Corner

Hello Faculty! Thanks for supporting our students at the May 3, 2014 Graduation Ceremony! The semester is coming to a close and many of you will be returning for the Summer Session, while others will be returning in the Fall. In either case, please have a safe, restful and productive break. We are planning a robust summer with our summer bridge programs, which target rising junior and senior high school students, as well as those who have recently graduated. GED completers and students who test below college credit level can benefit from one of these programs as well. In addition to these programs, we will be moving forward with the Learning Community Project pilot this summer. Biology and chemistry faculty will be testing water and soil samples on our campus and neighboring communities. These disciplines will share their results with other focus areas such as political and social science, philosophy (ethics), African- American Studies, English, Child Development and Library Science. In the Fall we are planning to pilot our new Saturday STEM Academy. This program will be used to tutor high school students and provide assistance for ACT preparation. Inside this issue you will get an update on other activities sponsored by the STEM CTL. Technology trainings, workshops and webinars will continue to be provided this summer. Please stop in to see one of our technology staff if you have questions or wish to update your skills on various techniques. We appreciate your continued support!

OHC STEM CTL Hosts the Chancellor's District Meeting With the Executive Team

Accompanied by her Executive Team, Chancellor Cheryl Hyman, whose #1 priority is student success, came to Olive-Harvey College on Thursday, May 1, 2014, to discuss some of the key metrics moving towards Fall 2014 for all 7 colleges. Included in the session were the Vice Chancellors and all of the City College Presidents.

In addition, portions of the session were videotaped for a PBS Special which will air in August, 2014, as part of a week long national feature focused on community college leadership across the nation. Check your PBS programming schedule for the exact date and times.

STEM Club and TDL Students Visit the FAA Air Traffic Controller's Towers at O'Hare and Midway Airports

STEM Club and TDL Students visited the Air Traffic Controller's Towers at Midway and O'Hare Airports on Monday, April 28, 2014. We were greeted by Keith Merrell, FAA Electronics Engineer, who coordinated the planning of this field trip along with OHC STEM Club Coordinator, Helen Y. West.

The purpose of the trip was to identify and expose STEM and TDL students to high end careers in STEM and TDL. We were honored to learn that our host at O'Hare Airport, Anthony B. Harts, NAS Plan Program Manager, is also an Olive-Harvey Alumni who earned his Associates in Arts degree in Electronics (he wouldn't tell us what year).

Mr. Harts had an exciting and informative agenda planned for our students which included several presentations from various experts in air traffic operations, along with an impressive tour of the facilities. The presentations included overviews of career opportunities in aviation, a snapshot of the O'Hare Modernization Program, discussions on fiber optic transmission systems, and navigational systems. The tour included the Air Traffic Contoller's Towers, the Air Traffic Control Simulator, and the Equipment Room where all of the communications systems (radar equipment and navigational equipment) are housed. Because the Towers are a high security facility, no cameras or cell phones were allowed, but trust us, it was quite impressive!

We also learned about the Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) located in Joliet, IL and the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) located in Elgin, IL. Those centers cover air traffic from further distances beyond O'Hare and Midway e.g. the ARTCC covers a range of approximately 260 miles, and the TRACON covers air traffic in the 40-60 mile range. The U.S. military operate centers that have much longer ranges. O'Hare and Midway Towers cover a 7 mile range for arrivals and departures.

Careers in aviation are plentiful and most of their recruiting efforts are through their Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program or the military. Specific career opportunities were identified in Engineering and Logistics. Our hosts have agreed to visit Olive-Harvey College in the near future to share more with our students in these career fields.

Launching our Fall 2014 Learning Communities

The STEM CTL in collaboration with Developmental Education have coordinated the development of four (4) General Education (credit) Learning Communities and three (3) Development Education Learning Communities. As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the implementation of Learning Communities, we have trained our Advisers in Student Services and developed Faculty Professional Development Workshops in support of creating integrated lesson plans, rubrics and syllabi. Learning Community faculty members will also have weekly scheduled collaboration times in the STEM CTL throughout the Fall 2014 semester.

Three student surveys were were also administered to students enrolled in Spring 2014 Learning Communities at the beginning, mid-point, and end of the semester, along with a LC faculty survey. The survey results will be analyzed and reported at the beginning of the fall semester (hopefully during Faculty Professional Development Week).

Joining the STEM CTL for a Learning Community Professional Development workshop in July at Washington Center's National Resource Center for Learning Communities are from left to right,Sharon Silverman, M. Carla Carr, Dr. Vera Fullard, Dr. Mia Hardy, and Helen West.

STEM CTL Will Participate in Open House on May 13th

An Open House is being planned by Student Services on May 13, 2014. The STEM CTL will host a table promoting STEM, the STEM Club, and two of our summer programs, Race to the Top and Level Up.

The Open House is district-wide and open to students 8th grade and above, members of the general public and overall community. Please feel free to invite and inform friends and neighbors of Olive-Harvey College.

Faculty Development Week 2014-15 Calendar Year

It's not too late to join one of the planning committees for Faculty Development Week. The next meeting date of the entire committee is Thursday, June 12th at 12:00 pm. in Room 3307. If you are interested in joining one of the planning teams for Faculty Development Week, please contact the Committee Chair. Kudos to all those who have already volunteered, as follows:

African American Studies Certificate Awards Ceremony

The African American Studies Certificate is awarded annually to students who have taken four (4) or more courses in the African American Studies Department. Please join me in congratulating the 2014 recipients, Karen Wilson and TaJuana Colbert.

The Mistress of Ceremony, Dr. Zoe Franklin, opened the program with an introduction of the African American Student Association Vice President, Olivia Jointer, followed by Professor Klevor Abo who gave homage to our ancestors in a traditional Libation ceremony. Professor Curtis Keyes inspired and encouraged students as the keynote speaker for the program which was followed by the Presentation of Awards and Pinning by Professors Jacquelyn Johnson and Shahari Moore. It was a festive occasion enjoyed by all and concluded with refreshments. Many thanks to our guests, including Dean Tia Robinson.

Olive-Harvey Faculty Serves on Corliss EC STEM High School's Local School Council

CONGRATULATIONS to Professor Debra Johnson who has been elected as a Parent representative on the Local School Council at George H. Corliss Early College STEM High School.

Professor Johnson has been an active participant in student success at Corliss EC STEM High School long before her appointment to the Local School Council, and even prior to her daughter becoming a student at Corliss. She has served as a tutor in the After School Tutoring Program at Corliss for the past two years.

Please join the STEM CTL in Congratulating and Commending Professor Johnson for her ongoing commitment to improving student outcomes!

Recruiting Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leaders

Do you have any stellar students you would recommend to apply to be an SI Leader? We are looking for model students eager to help other students learn and succeed in their courses. We are filling positions for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math courses (Bio 114, 119, 121, 122, 226, 227; Chem 121, 20; Physics 221; and Math 143, 207, 208)Minimum Qualifications· Overall GPA of 3.0 or better· Will be enrolled in at least 6 units in the Fall semester at OHC (or any other CCC)· Is able to commit to at least 10 hrs per week· Is recommended by an instructor in the course for which he/she will provide SI· Successfully completed the course for which he/she will provide SISoft Skills: The ideal candidate is an individual who meets the following· Is an exemplary/model student represented in their course success as well as in their study habits· Is eager to help others learn · Is able to build rapport with classmates and is very approachable and easy to talk to· Has a strong grasp of the material· Maintains a working relationship with the instructor throughout the semester· Is not afraid to ask questions

To apply: The student must meet the qualifications and complete an application. Applications should be submitted to Elissa Tobin (etobin2@ccc.edu, office 3313) Download the Job Description and Application below. If the student meets the requirements, an interview will be scheduled prior to the Fall term. Training will take place the week before the Fall term.

STEM CTL End of Year Celebration

Congratulations to AAWAC Honorees

The American Association of Women in Community College (AAWAC) honored five distinguished Olive-Harvey College women at the OHC "I'm Every Woman with 'A Splash of Purple' Awards Affair" on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 in the Bruce Cherry Theater.

Author

The STEM Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at Olive-Harvey College is committed to supporting OHC faculty and staff by providing professional development activities using the most up-to-date technology, best practices, and assessments, to improve teaching and increase student achievement.